OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – Over 3,000 consolidated federal lawsuits targeting major social media platforms for fostering harmful and addictive behaviors among young users can proceed in the federal courts. On Aug. 10, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed an initial appeal from Meta Platforms and TikTok. This decision maintains the cases before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. The plaintiffs claim that certain features of these platforms prompted compulsive usage and contributed to mental health issues among children and teenagers.
Meta and TikTok attempted to secure an immediate appeal of the lower court’s rulings related to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The appeals court clarified that Section 230 serves as a defense against liability, not immunity from litigation. Consequently, the court ruled that the companies could not pursue this appeal at present. The ruling did not decide whether Section 230 will ultimately bar any claims but permitted the ongoing federal proceedings to move forward under the existing orders from the trial court.
The lawsuit comprises claims from families, individuals, school districts, municipalities, and state authorities. In addition, plaintiffs have targeted Alphabet’s Google, owner of YouTube, and Snap, the operator of Snapchat. They contend that social media platforms incorporated features designed to promote repeated engagement by minors. Allegations link these features to depression, anxiety, body image issues, and other mental health problems. Both companies have denied these accusations. Additionally, about 3,300 related cases remain consolidated in California state court.
States initiate separate legal action against Meta
Meta faces another federal lawsuit initiated by 29 state attorneys general. Jury selection in this case is scheduled to start on Aug. 12 in Oakland, with the trial set to commence on Aug. 17. The states accuse Meta of unlawfully collecting and using children’s personal data. They further allege that Facebook and Instagram included features that encouraged compulsive use among minors. The suit also claims Meta misled consumers regarding safety measures on its platforms. Meta has denied any misconduct.
Legal claims brought by the states are based on the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and various state consumer protection statutes. States including California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey have also filed their own state law claims in this matter. Previously, a federal judge declined to dismiss the lawsuit before the trial, citing unresolved disputes requiring further proceedings. Several states have submitted calculations for potential financial penalties if they succeed, though Meta contests these figures and the legal reasoning behind them.
Notable verdicts expand youth safety litigation
The broader legal battles involving social media companies have already led to significant rulings. On Aug. 6, a judge in New Mexico ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a youth mental health fund and associated programs. The same order mandated safety measures for Facebook and Instagram over five years. Earlier, a New Mexico jury had levied a $375 million civil penalty in March, resulting in a combined exposure of $942 million for Meta in that state’s case.
In a separate case, a Los Angeles jury in March found against Meta and Google in a lawsuit concerning social media addiction. Jurors determined that the companies were negligent in designing Instagram and YouTube, and awarded $6 million to the plaintiff. She claimed that her childhood exposure to these platforms led to addiction and mental health harm. Prior to trial, TikTok and Snap settled with the plaintiff under undisclosed terms. Meta and Google announced plans to appeal the verdict.